Rising 7th Grade Course Selections Stone Hill Middle School Counseling Department 2018-2019
What are we talking about today? • Personalized Learning • Diploma Types • 7th Grade Course Options – Core subjects (including high school credits) – Electives • The Course Selection Process
Personalized Learning at Stone Hill Personalized learning is method of instruction that focuses on students’ individual needs. PL takes students’ interests and learning styles into consideration. In a PL environment, the learning objectives and content, as well as the method and pace, may vary to engage and empower students. Personalized Learning is... teachers using flexible content teachers using targeted and tools within their lesson instruction to match the specific that allow students to work at needs and learning goals of each their own pace and meet their student. individual needs. teachers promoting continuous teachers using data driven student reflection and decisions to make instructional ownership over their learning. judgments and groupings. Personalized Learning Looks Like… PL Parent Coffee: February 19, 9am
LCPS Standard Diploma Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits - UPDATED 4 2 English 3 1 Social Studies (World Studies, US/VA Government, and US/VA History) Mathematics 3 1 (Algebra I, Geometry, Functions, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II) Science 3 1 (From 2 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth) 2 Health/Family Life/Physical Education 2 Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or CTE 1 Economics and Personal Finance 4 Electives (Must include 2 sequential electives) 22 5 Total
LCPS Advanced Studies Diploma Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits UPDATED 4 2 English 4 1 Social Studies (World Studies (2), US/VA Government, and US/VA History) 4 1 Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II) 4 1 Science (From 3 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth) 3 or 4 Foreign Language (3 years of one language or 2 years each of two different languages) Health/Physical Education 2 1 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education (CTE) 1 Economics & Personal Finance 3 Electives 26 or 27 5 Total (depends on foreign language option)
SHMS Course Selection Process • Teacher recommendations for core classes (academic or honors) have been uploaded into ParentVUE and can be viewed under the Course Request tab. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions about the recommendation. • January 22 - February 15: You and your child can make elective choices in StudentVUE and ParentVUE – After February 15, any elective changes will need to be made through your counselor, just email Mrs. Haislip! – All changes must be made by May 3 rd • January 23 - February 15: Mrs. Haislip will be speaking with students during Resource/Spectrum about 7th grade course recommendations, elective options, and the course selection process
7th Grade Schedule 1. English 7 (Academic or Honors) 2. Math 7, Math 8, or Algebra I (High School Class) 3. Life Science 7 (Academic or Honors) 4. History 7 (Academic or Honors) 5. Health & P.E. 7 6. Technology Education & FACS (1 semester of each) 7. ONE FULL BLOCK ELECTIVE : Foreign Language, Accelerated Literacy Skills, Communication Studies, or Coding 8. ONE 45 MINUTE ELECTIVE : Band, Strings, Guitar, Chorus, or Art 9. Resource/Spectrum
Math Courses A student currently in Math 6: Math 6 → Math 7 → Math 8 A student in Accel Math 6/7: Accelerated Math 6/7 → Math 8 → Algebra 1 A student highly successful in Accel Math 6/7*: Accelerated Math 6/7 → Algebra 1 → Geometry *Please be advised that students applying to AET (process begins in 8 th grade) DO need to complete Algebra 1 and Geometry before the end of 8 th grade.
Each student will choose one full block elective and one 45 minute elective: Full Block 45 Minute • Accelerated Literacy • Art 7 • Communication Studies • Chorus 7 • Coding • Band 7* • Foreign Language (HS credit) • Strings 7* – Spanish 1 • Beginning Guitar 7 – German 1 • Reading Workshop – French 1 – Latin 1 *Students can only only select Band 7 or Strings 7 if they are currently in Band 6 or Strings 6
Full Block Elective Option: World Language Stone Hill Middle School offers: Spanish, French, German, or Latin Please keep in mind: • These courses are taught at a high school level and require consistent, daily practice • Grades earned in these classes will be included on your student’s permanent high school transcript • Students who are starting a World Language Course should have good study habits and organizational skills to be ready for the pace of a high school level course
World Languages & Cultures Rock Ridge High School offers: American Sign Language, French, German, Latin, & Spanish • Start as early as possible! • Arrive to HS as a Level 3 student • Benefit from 6 full years of study • Honors, AP & dual enrollment (& GPA boosts) • Earn the Seal of Biliteracy on your graduation diploma • Students can graduate as fluent speakers
How to succeed as a world-language student? ● ***START as early as possible (ideally 7th grade)*** ● Learning language (baby analogy) ● In it for the long haul: ○ Expunging non-ideal grades vs. continuing – Students will need a solid “B” average to be recommended for the next level of the course – Students with less than a “B” may not be prepared for the next level of the course ○ 5+ years vs. 2 years in a language ● Plan to continue to the next level ● The time is NOW : don’t plan to expunge & repeat :( ○ Repeating & academic/discipline issues ○ Make use of LCPS’s six-year program
● WLC teachers are here to support students ● Feel free to peruse RRHS’s WLC materials : ○ Course offerings ○ Teacher bios ○ Seal of Biliteracy ○ Governor’s World Language Academies → Wesleigh.Mellott@lcps.org → Gonzalo.Gallardo@lcps.org tinyurl.com/RRHWLC
Full Block Elective Option: Coding At Middle School (CAMS) 7 • 7th OR 8th Grade elective option • Introduction to Computer Science (no prerequisites – beginner level) • Students will combine media to create and share their own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art • Integrates Math 6 and Math 7 concepts • Project Based Learning environment • Semester One – block coding platform using Scratch.mit.edu • Semester Two – Python coding platform using Codesters.com • 75 seats available; lottery process
Full Block Elective Option: Communications • Types of communication • Types of speeches & speech presentations • Penpals: connects students in 144 countries to learn together • Debate unit: mini debates from Scholastic News and a final debate based on favorite topics • Narrative Speaking, Story Telling, and Reader's Theatre • Radio Terminology • Elements of Acting • Video Editing • Film Unit: students write a full movie, storyboard, rehearse it, film it, and edit it
Full Block Elective Option: Accelerating Literacies Students read various texts (mostly self selected) in order to increase reading speed, comprehension, and vocabulary knowledge. Students write in various modes to improve skills and organization, elaboration, sentence variety, word choice, and usage/mechanics. Writing to learn and speaking to learn are emphasized as methods of improving comprehension and exhibiting content/skill mastery. Instruction is differentiated for each students needs. Students who have gaps in language arts knowledge or skills receive instruction with increased rigor and intensity to move them towards grade level preferences. Students performing at or above grade level will be guided towards improved performance.
Additional Information about the Art Elective • Art 7 is a prerequisite for 3-D Art in 8th grade • Four Main Projects: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, and Printmaking • Students keep a sketchbook and digital portfolio
A word about balance… As you help make decisions about your student’s courseload, please take into consideration their other activities and responsibilities. While our goal is always to help students reach their academic potential, it is extremely important to ensure that they are able to rest, relax, maintain peer interactions, and enjoy your clubs, sports, and family time. One of the best ways we can work together to promote wellness and manage stress is to choose a courseload that is challenging, but not overwhelming!
Just to review … • Students must currently be in 6th grade Band/Strings to select 7th grade Band/Strings • Remember to select by band section: Brass, Percussion, or Woodwinds • World Language classes (French, Spanish, Latin, German) are HIGH SCHOOL level courses • The grade earned in a World Language class will be included on their permanent high school transcript • Algebra 1 and Geometry are HIGH SCHOOL level courses • The grade earned in Algebra 1 and Geometry will be included on their permanent high school transcript • Balance is key! Consider your student’s other responsibilities: sports, clubs, household obligations, etc.
Middle School Program of Studies • Details about the course offerings can be found in the LCPS Middle and High School Program of Studies – Math Progression is on Page 16 – 7th Grade Course Descriptions start on page 23
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